The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-27

John Varey Nicholson was stupid yet, stupid
or men than he now sprawling in Parliament,
and lauding themselves the authors OF their
own distinction. He was of a fat habit, even
from boyhood, and inclined to cheerful and
cursory reading of the face of life: and possibly
this attitude of mind was the original of
his mIsfortunes Beyond this hint philosophy
is silent OF his career, and superstition steps in
with the more ready explanation that he was de-
tested of the gods
His father-that iron gentleman-had long
ago enthroned himself on the heights of the
Disruption Principles. What these are land in
spite of their grim name they are quite inno-
cent? no array of terms would render thinkable
&C the merely English intelligence; but to the
Scot they often prove unctuously nourishing,
and Mr.. Nicholson found in them the milk of
lions. About the period when the churches con-
vens at Eiinburg in their annual assemblies.
he was to be seen descending the mound in the
company OF divers red-headed clergymen; these
voluble, he only contributing oracular mods,
brief negatives, and the austere spectacle of his
stretched upper lip. The names of Candlish and
Begg were frequent in these interviews. and oc-
casionally the talk ran the Residuary Estab-
Ishment and the doings of one Lee. A stranger
to the tight little theological kingdom of Scotland
might have listened and gathered literally moth
ing. And Mr.. Nicholson (who was not dull
mani knew this, and ragged at it. He knew there
was a vast world outside, to whom Disruption
Principles were as the chatter of tree-top apes;
the paper brought him chill whiffs from it; he
had met Enelishmen who had asked lightly if
be did not belong TO the Church of Scotland.
and then he had failed to be much interested by
his calculation OF that nice point; it evil,
wild rebelous world, lying sunk in dozenedness,
for nothing short of Scots word will paint this
Scotsman's feelings. And when he entered into
his own house in Randolph Crescent South
side) and shut the door behind him, his heart
ewelled with security. Here, at least, a
citadel impregnable by right-hand defections or
left-hand extremes. Here was family where
prayers came at the same hour, where the Sab
bath literature was unimpeachably selected,
where the guest who should have leaned to any
false opinion was instantly set down. and over
which there regned all week, and grew denser
on Sundays, silence that agreeable to his
ear. and gloom that he found comfortable.
Mrs. Nicholson had died at about thirty and left
him with three children. daughter two years.
and a son about eight years younger than John,
and John himself. the unlucky bearer of a name
infamous in English history. The daughter,
Maria, was good girl-dutiful. Dio us, dull. but
so easily startled that to speak to her was quite
q perilous enterprise ST don't think care to
talk about that. if you please" she would say
and strike the boldest speecbless by her unms-
taxable pain; this upon all topics-dross, pleas
ure, morality, politics. in which the formula
was changed to "my papa thinks otherwise"
and even religion, unless it was approached with
9 particular whining tone of voice. Alexander.
the younger brother, sckly. clever, fond of
- E.-IY-
In the midst of these. imagine that natural,
clumsy, uninteligent, and mirthful animal,
John; mighty well behaved IN comparison with
other lads. although not up to the mark of the
house in Randolph Crescent; full of a sort of
laundering affection. full of caresses which
were never very warmly received; full of sudden
and loud daughters which rang out in that still
house like curses. Mr.. Nicholson himself had
great fund of hunfor, of the Scots order-intel-
lectual, turning the observation of men; his
own character, for instance-if he could have
seen it in another-would have been rare feast
to him; but his sons empty outlaws over a
broken plate, and empty. almost Hght-headed
remarks, struck him with pain as the indices of
q weak mind.
Outside the family John had early attached
himself tmuch dog may follow a marquess)
60 the steps of Allen Houston, q lad about a
year older than himself, idle. triie wild, the
heir to good estate. which still In the
hands Of rigorous trustee, and so royalty con-
tent with himself that he took Johns devotion
as thing of course The intimacy was gall to ,
Mr.. Nicholson; it took his from the house
and he was jealous parent; it kept him from
the Office, and he was q martinez; lastly. Mr..
Nicholson was ambitious for mis- family Tin
which, and the Disruption Principles, he entirely
lived, and he hated to see q son of his play
to an idler After some hesitation,
he ordered that the friendship should cease-an
unfair command, though seem ingly inspired by
the spirit of prophecy; and John, saying moth
Ing. continued to disobey the order under the
rose.
John was nearly nineteen when he was one
day dismissed rather earlier than usual from his
fathers Office, where he studying the prac-
tice of the law. It was Saturday; and except
that he had matter OF four hundred pounds in
his pocket which it was his duty to hand over to
the British Linen Company's bank, he had the
whole afternoon at his disposal. He went by
Princes street enjoying the mild sunshine. and
the little thrill OF eastery wind that tossed the
flags along that terrace of palaces, and tumbled
tho green trees in the garden. The band was
playing down in the valley under the castle; and
their wild sounds with stirring of the blood.
Something distantly mar11el woke in him; and
he thought of Miss Mackenzie, whom he was to
meet that day at dinner.
Now, il is undesirable that he should have gone
directly to the bank, butsright In the way stood
the billiard room Of the hotel where Alan was al
most certain to be found; and the temptation
proved too strong. He entered the billiard room
and was instantly greeted by his friend, cue in
hand.
Nicholson" said he, 81 want you to lend mea
pound two till Monday"
You've come to the right shop, haven't youl"
returned John. 81 have twopences
Nonsense" said Alan. lyon can get some.
Go and borrow at your tailor's; they all do 1t.
Or I'll tell you what pop your watch"
20, yes, 1 daresay," said John. ''And how
about my father?'
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